The new City pool project is out for bid.
On Tuesday, Feb. 22, the Pierre City Commission approved the request to bid the new outdoor pool construction project and agreed to give potential contractors more flexibility than usual.
“The pool project is a complex one,” said Kristi Honeywell, City Administrator. “We know there are labor market concerns and supply chain issues. We’re taking a little bit different approach with this bid process to help combat some of those challenges.”
Each bidder is asked to provide two prices. One price comes with a completion date of May 25, 2023, and the other with a completion date of Oct. 13, 2023. The May completion date would allow the pool to be operational for the 2023 outdoor swim season; the other completion date would mean an opening in 2024.
“The contracting and supply markets are pretty tough right now,” said Honeywell. “We’ll have to balance our want for a new pool in 2023 with any potential financial implications of the current market.”
Proposals are due back to the City on March 31. In another nod to existing market conditions, the City is giving potential bidders five weeks to develop bids rather than the state-mandated minimum of 10 days.
“I’m anxious to get bids back and get construction going,” said Pierre Mayor Steve Harding. “We’ve been talking about a new outdoor pool since I started as a commissioner more than a decade ago. It’s time!”
The plans for the new pool include a shallow water pool, a multi-purpose pool that can double as a competition pool, a lazy river, as well as a new bathhouse and snack bar. If fully realized, the new pool will also include a shallow-water play structure, a speed slide, a drop slide, a raft slide, a kiddie slide, a zip line and numerous other water features.
For additional details, visit pierrepool.com.